The Potter Re-read and Gone with the Wind

[mad_tea_party]

This month is bringing about some interesting reads in We Be Book'n, y'all. The first is my first re-read of Harry Potter since my first read way back when the first movie came out. Yeah, you're reading that correctly. As someone who loves the Potterverse dearly, I have never reread the books. And while I am making confessions about Harry Potter related things, I've only seen 2 of the original Harry Potter movies multiple times. The first and second one. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, I have seen at least 8 times, if not more. The first two Potter movies I've seen more than a dozen. The others, not so much. I know that is a such a sad commentary, isn't it?

So last night, I started HPatSS. Granted, I was hopped up on Hydrocodone for my wrist, so I Didn't get very far, but I was already picking up details I missed the first time I read it, or maybe details I'd forgotten? Who can tell for sure anymore? I only got into the first five pages, but I can tell you that I am more than excited to read more.

Yet, with this reread comes such a bit of sadness, and discontent, too. Rowling has soured herself to me in a way that will never be reversed. Mostly because she couldn't keep her personal opinions and beliefs to herself. I'm not about to turn this into a political entry but I did want ot touch on it a bit. I wanted to assure those who have been hurt by her conduct that while I am reading her works, I am, in no way, approving of her beliefs or conduct. She sickens me with her words and her recent actions frankly disgust me. Yet, and yet! I must remember that the series has brought me tons of friends, happiness and calm. And I can't blame that series for what it's creator did. So how I've personally decided to deal with is this: Buy as much USED merchandise I can. As far as the books went, before even all this was going on every single one of my hardcovers came from a Library book sale, save 2 of them. So no proceeds went to Rowling from me.

The most current things that Rowling will get money for is the new Switch game I have been waiting for, and the bluray for third Fantastic Beasts movie. That's it.

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We are also reading. Gone with the Wind. I really am enjoying the book. I am really enjoying the book. I am up to chapter 6. I will admit that the book itself is very racist. I am sure historically the sentiment is accurate but. I need to keep those things in mind as I continue to read.

Comments

[lexpurr]

Buying secondhand does seem to be the way to go! Seems to be a method a lot of trans and nonbinary folks still in the fandom approve of, too (my nonbinary ass also approves of it, but I wouldn't say I'm still in the fandom.) That and buying fan merch. Last I checked, there's lots of excellent fan merch made by trans and nonbinary fans, so you can support them and not support Rowling at the same time! Win/win situation right there.

I seriously hate that a series that gave so many people -- a huge portion of whom are marginalized -- so much hope and brought so many people together was written by someone who ended up so repugnant and dreadful. Makes me wonder if the Harry Potter we all loved was just the version we made up in our heads while we read the books instead of whatever Rowling wrote. There's nothing wrong with that, of course -- I'd even argue it's empowering -- but I still wish Rowling was like... on the same page as the rest of us instead of taking fifty steps backwards every single time she decides to tweet her newest awful, hateful, bigoted take.

[dissonantbrie]

First, seconding the mention of nonbinary and trans artists making merch.

Second, there is something really interesting in thinking about the version in fans heads versus what's on the page. I admittedly have not read the books, but I have heard some of the criticism around Dobby the elf, so it'd be interesting to see what would emerge in future criticism/what would emerge from a contemporary lens.

[lexpurr]

Oh yeah, there's definitely some criticism going around not just about Dobby, but the handling of the house elves in general, and it is INCREDIBLY warranted. The messages Rowling sent out on that front, intentional or not, are severely fucked up. Definitely want to see what emerges in future criticism and what would emerge from a contemporary lens as well.

[sarajayechan]

That's the saddest part of this whole JKR thing, how much sheer joy Harry Potter brought generations of fans and the warm fuzzy memories of those old fandom days. I know some fans could easily nope out and disengage, but others still struggle with loving the books even though their author is the worst. It'd be like if fans of the Babysitters Club found out Ann M. Martin was a Trump supporter. (She's not, thank fuck.)

We are also reading. Gone with the Wind. I really am enjoying the book. I am really enjoying the book. I am up to chapter 6. I will admit that the book itself is very racist. I am sure historically the sentiment is accurate but. I need to keep those things in mind as I continue to read.

It is. I read the book years ago and while it's definitely a classic, it was a novel about the antebellum South written in the 30s.